Bait Angling for Common Fishes 



the reefs or rocks are about twenty to 

 thirty feet deep. 



The tautog is provided with a pair of 

 strong crushers situated in the back part of 

 its mouth and consisting of two flat groups 

 of ball-shaped teeth between which they 

 crush small shell fish before swallowing 

 them. When it takes the bait it passes it 

 on to the crushers, when a peculiar suc- 

 cession of bites is felt by the angler, who 

 loses many a fine fish by being too hasty 

 to hook him. After the first indication is 

 felt of a fish taking the bait it should be 

 struck sharply, but not too soon, for the 

 angler can feel a second and even a third 

 tug before the strike is given, as he bites 

 with a strong will, but when he is fast he 

 gives such a bulldog fight, along with hard 

 pulls, which only strong and well-made 

 tackle can withstand, especially when he is 

 of a fair size. The tautog bites much like 

 a sheepshead, but with less power. You 

 feel the premonition, but when he dashes 

 aside the pull is weaker than the sheeps- 



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